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vikingwolf's review against another edition
2.0
What do you do when you have the most untrainable dog in the world? A dog who is scared of you, who runs away and won't come over to you for hours, a dog that just makes you want to admit defeat and take him back to the dog home? This is the true story of Ollie, a dog with a damaged past and an owner who can't seem to win his trust. A nice quick read for dog fans.
crysania's review against another edition
1.0
This promised to be a nice read: the story of man who rescues a dog from an animal shelter and the subsequent bonding and working through of the dog's issues. Unfortunately, it wasn't. There were so many moments in this book where I smacked my head (figuratively speaking) and wanted to scream at the guy. The problems I had with the book are as follows:
1. He barely knows this dog and the first thing he does is let it off leash. A surefire way to watch your dog either disappear into the sunset or get killed. Amazingly he doesn't get killed though he does get a nasty leg break at one point when he, as is no surprise, runs out into traffic and gets hit by a car. Does he learn his lesson? No. After keeping him on leash as he works up the dogs muscle tone and as the bone heals, as soon as the doctor says he's heeled, he lets him off leash again.
2. The dog is a lurcher, which is a dog that is part greyhound (in this case, greyhound and saluki). These are dogs that can see something a mile in the distance and are off like a shot, faster than any human being can run. One thing rescues for greyhounds require is that you never EVER let your dog off leash. It is the ultimate in stupidity to do so.
3. He says, over and over and over again throughout this book that rescue dogs are, basically, bundles of nerves and behavioral problems. He doesn't even mention that not all, that some are well-behaved dogs who just need a second chance. It was no surprise that in the end, he got his next dog (a purebred saluki) from a breeder. I guess he doesn't want one of those horrible rescue dogs.
4. He insults a lot of people in the book. No one specifically, but at varying turns he insults people who walk their dog on leash (because they're not FREEEEE), people who get annoyed when his loose dog rudely barrels into theirs and starts jumping on the dog and biting his neck (but he just wants to play!), people with labradors and border collie mixes (yes...he insulted BC mixes...wtf?) because apparently we're stiffs.
5. His dog is afraid of him. I don't think he started out that way, but he became nervous around him. And instead of trying to bond with him, he just kept carrying on the way he was somehow expecting the dog to change. You know when he did start to bond with him? When he was forced, due to Ollie's being hit, to walk him on leash for 3 months. Gee what a surprise.
So all together, this was NOT an enjoyable book.
1. He barely knows this dog and the first thing he does is let it off leash. A surefire way to watch your dog either disappear into the sunset or get killed. Amazingly he doesn't get killed though he does get a nasty leg break at one point when he, as is no surprise, runs out into traffic and gets hit by a car. Does he learn his lesson? No. After keeping him on leash as he works up the dogs muscle tone and as the bone heals, as soon as the doctor says he's heeled, he lets him off leash again.
2. The dog is a lurcher, which is a dog that is part greyhound (in this case, greyhound and saluki). These are dogs that can see something a mile in the distance and are off like a shot, faster than any human being can run. One thing rescues for greyhounds require is that you never EVER let your dog off leash. It is the ultimate in stupidity to do so.
3. He says, over and over and over again throughout this book that rescue dogs are, basically, bundles of nerves and behavioral problems. He doesn't even mention that not all, that some are well-behaved dogs who just need a second chance. It was no surprise that in the end, he got his next dog (a purebred saluki) from a breeder. I guess he doesn't want one of those horrible rescue dogs.
4. He insults a lot of people in the book. No one specifically, but at varying turns he insults people who walk their dog on leash (because they're not FREEEEE), people who get annoyed when his loose dog rudely barrels into theirs and starts jumping on the dog and biting his neck (but he just wants to play!), people with labradors and border collie mixes (yes...he insulted BC mixes...wtf?) because apparently we're stiffs.
5. His dog is afraid of him. I don't think he started out that way, but he became nervous around him. And instead of trying to bond with him, he just kept carrying on the way he was somehow expecting the dog to change. You know when he did start to bond with him? When he was forced, due to Ollie's being hit, to walk him on leash for 3 months. Gee what a surprise.
So all together, this was NOT an enjoyable book.
moonmoonbarneymcgrew's review against another edition
4.0
It's actually a good, solidly cosy read. And definitely one for dog people.
mrsthrift's review
3.0
I got this at the Pittsburgh Airport, which actually has a semi-decent bookstore in its AIRMALL, on my last trip to Olympia. I am currently facing a life with 2 difficult cats and 2 difficult dogs, so I thought an uplifting story of man's best friend could bring some peace and hope. Dude is overtly British and makes too many references to his Choice to Be A Writer, but he paints his ladyfriend in a darling light - I like people who are able to communicate how much they love someone without endlessly professing their adoration and devotion. He provides the same charming perspective on his relationship with Ollie, the rescued lurcher -- there were moments where his frustration and defeat dripped from the page, and my own patience wore thin with their struggles. The book was a quick and easy read. I laughed when his lurcher humiliated him again and again at the park. I felt like the climatic "bonding" moments were splayed out in a way that was realistic and endearing. Difficult rescue dogs don't "normalize" overnight -- oftentimes it happens when you aren't even looking. I felt like this story captured that process realistically. I never need to read this book again, but it was a pleasant enough way to pass the plane ride.
robinhigdon's review against another edition
5.0
A must read or listen to for all dog lovers, especially ones with those anxiety ridden rescue dogs!
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